Book Review: Quicksilver by R.J. Anderson

Quicksilver by R.J. Anderson
Release Date: January 1, 2013
Publisher: Carolrhoda Lab
Source: Netgalley
Rating:  
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

Back in her hometown, Tori Beaugrand had everything a teenaged girl could want—popularity, money, beauty. But she also had a secret. A secret that could change her life in an instant, or destroy it.

Now she’s left everything from her old life behind, including her real name and Alison, the one friend who truly understood her. She can’t escape who and what she is. But if she wants to have anything like a normal life, she has to blend in and hide her unusual… talents.

Plans change when the enigmatic Sebastian Faraday reappears and gives Tori some bad news: she hasn’t escaped her past. In fact, she’s attracted new interest in the form of an obsessed ex-cop turned investigator for a genetics lab.

She has one last shot at getting her enemies off her trail and winning the security and independence she’s always longed for. But saving herself will take every ounce of Tori’s incredible electronics and engineering skills—and even then, she may need to sacrifice more than she could possibly imagine if she wants to be free. – Goodreads

Review:
When I found out that R.J. Anderson’s Ultraviolet was getting a sequel, I was pretty pumped because Ultraviolet had left my head buzzing with possibilities of what was ahead. Then, when I found out that it would be told in Tori’s POV, I have to admit I was a little bummed because I had really enjoyed Alison’s narrative, thought her ability was really cool, and there were still loose ends in her story. As it turned out, R.J. Anderson was able to make Tori’s story equally gripping and tie both books together seamlessly.

With Tori and her family on the run, and them having changed their identities (Tori is now Niki), one could anticipate a thrilling, intense read. Tori is constantly having to watch over her shoulder and think every move carefully so that her past doesn’t catch up with her. But then it does in the form of Sebastian Faraday and it all goes to crap. I don’t want to get too into depth about what danger Tori is in, but I held my breath through so many scenes and felt a rush whenever Tori was able to find a way out.

Tori is so different from Alison and I loved how R.J. Anderson was able to transition into her voice effortlessly. Her passion for engineering came across as authentic and I enjoyed that it played a major role in the book. I also have to give R.J. Anderson two thumbs up for having Tori’s identity be so unique from what I’ve found in other YA books. That’s super vague, but if you read the book, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

As crazy thrilling as Quicksilver was, the highlight of the book was Tori’s friendship with Milo. It was so genuine and I kind of want to go spazzy over how well they fit together. More friendships like these, please, authors!

Quicksilver had my blood pumping and had me feeling like a ticking time bomb with its fast pace. If you’re looking for an engaging sci-fi read, look no further than Ultraviolet and Quicksilver.

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